scholarly journals Breathing In-Depth: A Parametrization Study on RGB-D Respiration Extraction Methods

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jochen Kempfle ◽  
Kristof Van Laerhoven

As depth cameras have gotten smaller, more affordable, and more precise, they have also emerged as a promising sensor in ubiquitous systems, particularly for detecting objects, scenes, and persons. This article sets out to systematically evaluate how suitable depth data can be for picking up users’ respiration, from small distance changes across the torso over time. We contribute a large public dataset of depth data over time from 19 persons taken in a large variety of circumstances. On this data, we evaluate and compare different state-of-the-art methods and show that their individual performance significantly depends on a range of conditions and parameters. We investigate the influence of the observed torso region (e.g., the chest), the user posture and activity, the distance to the depth camera, the respiratory rate, the gender, and user specific peculiarities. Best results hereby are obtained from the chest whereas the abdomen is least suited for detecting the user’s breathing. In terms of accuracy and signal quality, the largest differences are observed on different user postures and activities. All methods can maintain a mean accuracy of above 92% when users are sitting, but half of the observed methods only achieve a mean accuracy of 51% while standing. When users are standing and additionally move their arms in front of their upper body, mean accuracy values between the worst and best performing methods range from 21 to 87%. Increasing the distance to the depth camera furthermore results in lower signal quality and decreased accuracy on all methods. Optimal results can be obtained at distances of 1–2 m. Different users have been found to deliver varying qualities of breathing signals. Causes range from clothing, over long hair, to movement. Other parameters have shown to play a minor role in the detection of users’ breathing.

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 20-20
Author(s):  
Hugo Ramirez ◽  
Emily Branstad ◽  
Layla King

Abstract In 2017, 2.6 million ha of American farmland were destined for corn silage production, which was estimated at 116.5 million tons. Data for 2018 are yet to be compiled but field observations provide insight of a difficult year for growing and harvesting conditions. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in making the most efficient use of forage resources. Since corn silage is a predominant forage for beef and dairy cattle, most advances have focused on improving harvesting, storage and feeding methods of this crop. The harvesting process has been modified with the introduction of various designs of kernel processors; commercial laboratory data show a trend towards greater and more uniform processing score since 2010. Furthermore, the degree of processing can now be objectively evaluated by combining hydrodynamic separation and image processing software to obtain a kernel processing score in real time in field conditions. Applications of plastic film technology, such as oxygen barriers, to seal and maintain an anaerobic environment, have aroused interest due to the possibility of reducing spoilage with a concomitant increase in recovery of dry matter from the uppermost layer of a silage pile. Throughout the storage phase, it has been recognized that starch digestibility increases over time due to prolamin solubilization. Recent work with reconstituted high-moisture corn demonstrated that bacterial proteolytic activity contributes 60% to protein solubilization and that fermentation acids play a minor role in this process. The field of inoculants has also seen innovations in terms of application equipment and species and strain selection, with Lactobacillus buchneri becoming relevant for certain conditions that require longer aerobic stability. During feed-out, dry matter monitoring can be done with instant measurements using NIR technology in various applications ranging from tractor-mounted instruments to hand-held devices. Even though silage making has been a longstanding practice, specific aspects of the process have evolved over time and are worthy of consideration to improve forage management and quality in support of ruminant nutrition.


Author(s):  
Katherine Guérard ◽  
Sébastien Tremblay

In serial memory for spatial information, some studies showed that recall performance suffers when the distance between successive locations increases relatively to the size of the display in which they are presented (the path length effect; e.g., Parmentier et al., 2005) but not when distance is increased by enlarging the size of the display (e.g., Smyth & Scholey, 1994). In the present study, we examined the effect of varying the absolute and relative distance between to-be-remembered items on memory for spatial information. We manipulated path length using small (15″) and large (64″) screens within the same design. In two experiments, we showed that distance was disruptive mainly when it is varied relatively to a fixed reference frame, though increasing the size of the display also had a small deleterious effect on recall. The insertion of a retention interval did not influence these effects, suggesting that rehearsal plays a minor role in mediating the effects of distance on serial spatial memory. We discuss the potential role of perceptual organization in light of the pattern of results.


1958 ◽  
Vol 02 (05/06) ◽  
pp. 462-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Verstraete ◽  
Patricia A. Clark ◽  
Irving S. Wright

SummaryAn analysis of the results of prothrombin time tests with different types of thromboplastins sheds some light on the problem why the administration of coumarin is difficult to standardize in different centers. Our present ideas on the subject, based on experimental data may be summarized as follows.Several factors of the clotting mechanism are influenced by coumarin derivatives. The action of some of these factors is by-passed in the 1-stage prothrombin time test. The decrease of the prothrombin and factor VII levels may be evaluated in the 1-stage prothrombin time determination (Quick-test). The prolongation of the prothrombin times are, however, predominantly due to the decrease of factor VII activity, the prothrombin content remaining around 50 per cent of normal during an adequate anticoagulant therapy. It is unlikely that this degree of depression of prothrombin is of major significance in interfering with the coagulation mechanism in the protection against thromboembolism. It may, however, play a minor role, which has yet to be evaluated quantitatively. An exact evaluation of factor VII is, therefore, important for the guidance of anticoagulant therapy and the method of choice is the one which is most sensitive to changes in factor VII concentration. The 1-stage prothrombin time test with a rabbit lung thromboplastin seems the most suitable method because rabbit brain preparations exhibit a factor VII-like activity that is not present in rabbit lung preparations.


2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (185) ◽  
pp. 621-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Siefkes

The ‘Fragment on Machines’ from Marx’s Grundrisse is often cited as an argument that the internal forces of capitalism will lead to its doom. But the argument that the progressive reduction of labor must doom capitalism lacks a proper foundation, as a comparison with the ‘Schemes of Reproduction’ given in Capital II shows. The latter, however, aren’t fully convincing either. In reality, more depends on the private consumption of capitalists than either model recognizes. Ultimately, most can be made of the ‘Fragment on Machines’ by reading it not as an exposure of capitalism’s internal contractions, but as a discussion of a possible communist future where labor (or work) will play but a minor role.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvatore Benvenga ◽  
Antonio Micali ◽  
Giovanni Pallio ◽  
Roberto Vita ◽  
Consuelo Malta ◽  
...  

Background: Cadmium (Cd) impairs gametogenesis and damages the blood-testis barrier. Objective: As the primary mechanism of Cd-induced damage is oxidative stress, the effects of two natural antioxidants, myo-inositol (MI) and seleno-L-methionine (Se), were evaluated in mice testes. Methods: Eighty-four male C57 BL/6J mice were divided into twelve groups: 0.9% NaCl (vehicle; 1 ml/kg/day i.p.); Se (0.2 mg/kg/day per os); Se (0.4 mg/kg/day per os); MI (360 mg/kg/day per os); MI plus Se (0.2 mg/kg/day); MI plus Se (0.4 mg/kg/day); CdCl2 (2 mg/kg/day i.p.) plus vehicle; CdCl2 plus MI; CdCl2 plus Se (0.2 mg/kg/day); CdCl2 plus Se (0.4 mg/kg/day); CdCl2 plus MI plus Se (0.2 mg/kg/day); and CdCl2 plus MI plus Se (0.4 mg/kg/day). After 14 days, testes were processed for biochemical, structural and immunohistochemical analyses. Results: CdCl2 increased iNOS and TNF-α expression and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, lowered glutathione (GSH) and testosterone, induced testicular lesions, and almost eliminated claudin-11 immunoreactivity. Se administration at 0.2 or 0.4 mg/kg significantly reduced iNOS and TNF-α expression, maintained GSH, MDA and testosterone levels, structural changes and low claudin-11 immunoreactivity. MI alone or associated with Se at 0.2 or 0.4 mg/kg significantly reduced iNOS and TNF-α expression and MDA levels, increased GSH and testosterone levels, ameliorated structural organization and increased claudin-11 patches number. Conclusion: We demonstrated a protective effect of MI, a minor role of Se and an evident positive role of the association between MI and Se on Cd-induced damages of the testis. MI alone or associated with Se might protect testes in subjects exposed to toxicants, at least to those with behavior similar to Cd.


1985 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 581-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petr Vaňura ◽  
Emanuel Makrlík

Extraction of microamounts of Sr2+ and Ba2+ (henceforth M2+) from the aqueous solutions of perchloric acid (0.0125-1.02 mol/l) by means of the nitrobenzene solutions of dicarbolide (0.004-0.05 mol/l of H+{Co(C2B9H11)2}-) was studied in the presence of monoglyme (only Ba2+), diglyme, triglyme, and tetraglyme (CH3O-(CH2-CH2O)nCH3, where n = 1, 2, 3, 4). The distribution of glyme betweeen the aqueous and organic phases, the extraction of the protonized glyme molecule HL+ together with the extraction of M2+ ion and of the glyme complex with the M2+ ion, i.e., ML2+ (where L is the molecule of glyme), were found to be the dominating reactions in the systems under study. In the systems with tri- and tetraglymes the extraction of H+ and M2+ ions solvated with two glyme molecules, i.e., the formation of HL2+ and ML22+ species, can probably play a minor role. The values of the respective equilibrium constants, of the stability constants of complexes formed in the organic phase, and the theoretical separation factors αBa/Sr were determined. The effect of the ligand structure on the values of extraction and stability constants in the organic phase is discussed.


1991 ◽  
Vol 113 (4) ◽  
pp. 731-741 ◽  
Author(s):  
S H Hansen ◽  
K Sandvig ◽  
B van Deurs

The transfer of molecules from the cell surface to the early endosomes is mediated by preendosomal vesicles. These vesicles, which have pinched off completely from the plasma membrane but not yet fused with endosomes, form the earliest compartment along the endocytic route. Using a new assay to distinguish between free and cell surface connected vesicle profiles, we have characterized the preedosomal compartment ultrastructurally. Our basic experimental setup was labeling of the entire cell surface at 4 degrees C with Con A-gold, warming of the cells to 37 degrees C to allow endocytosis, followed by replacing incubation medium with fixative, all within either 30 or 60 s. Then the fixed cells were incubated with anti-Con A-HRP to distinguish truly free (gold labeled) endocytic vesicles from surface-connected structures. Finally, analysis of thin (20-30 nm) serial sections and quantification of vesicle diameters were carried out. Based on this approach it is shown that the preendosomal compartment comprises both clathrin-coated and non-coated endocytic vesicles with approximately the same frequency but with distinct diameter distributions, the average noncoated vesicle being smaller (95 nm) than the average coated one (110 nm). In parallel experiments, using an anti-transferrin receptor gold-conjugate as a specific marker for clathrin-dependent endocytosis it is also shown that uncoating of coated vesicles plays only a minor role for the total frequency of noncoated vesicles. Furthermore, after perturbation of clathrin-dependent endocytosis by potassium depletion where uptake of transferrin is blocked, noncoated endocytic vesicles with Con A-gold, but not coated vesicles, exist already after 30 and 60 s. Finally, it is shown that the existence of small, free vesicles in the short-time experiments cannot be ascribed to recycling from the early endosomes.


Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 668
Author(s):  
Tatiana Görig ◽  
Corinna Södel ◽  
Annette B. Pfahlberg ◽  
Olaf Gefeller ◽  
Eckhard W. Breitbart ◽  
...  

Seeking shade, the use of textile sun protection and sunscreen, and protecting one’s eyes by wearing sunglasses are recommended sun protection measures in children. We aimed to quantify the use of these measures as well as the prevalence of sunburn in children aged 1 to 10 years in Germany and to identify their determinants. Data collected via telephone interviews in a nationwide sample of 554 parents or caregivers in family were analyzed. Use of sunscreen was the most common measure applied (77.8%), while sunglasses were least frequently used (12.5%). The prevalence of sunburn during the past year was 21.8%, and it was positively associated with children’s age. The use of sun protection measures was significantly associated with the age and skin color of the child, while characteristics and tanning behaviors of the caregivers only played a minor role. The use of sun protection measures was higher when caregivers perceived themselves as a role model (Odds Ratio (OR) = 4.33, p < 0.001). Our nationwide data show that there remains a need for the improved use of sun protection measures, especially in children aged 7 to 10 years. In educational material, parents should be encouraged to become positive role models for their children regarding sun protection.


Author(s):  
Thomas Ludwig ◽  
Oliver Stickel ◽  
Peter Tolmie ◽  
Malte Sellmer

Abstract10 years ago, Castellani et al. (Journal of Computer Supported Cooperative Work, vol. 18, no. 2–3, 2009, pp. 199–227, 2009) showed that using just an audio channel for remote troubleshooting can lead to a range of problems and already envisioned a future in which augmented reality (AR) could solve many of these issues. In the meantime, AR technologies have found their way into our everyday lives and using such technologies to support remote collaboration has been widely studied within the fields of Human-Computer Interaction and Computer-Supported Cooperative Work. In this paper, we contribute to this body of research by reporting on an extensive empirical study within a Fab Lab of troubleshooting and expertise sharing and the potential relevance of articulation work to their realization. Based on the findings of this study, we derived design challenges that led to an AR-based concept, implemented as a HoloLens application, called shARe-it. This application is designed to support remote troubleshooting and expertise sharing through different communication channels and AR-based interaction modalities. Early testing of the application revealed that novel interaction modalities such as AR-based markers and drawings play only a minor role in remote collaboration due to various limiting factors. Instead, the transmission of a shared view and especially arriving at a shared understanding of the situation as a prerequisite for articulation work continue to be the decisive factors in remote troubleshooting.


1981 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Dooijewaard ◽  
C Kluft

A rapid fluorometric assay for measurement of amidolytic activity in human plasma was developed, using the plasminogen activator sensitive synthetic substrate t-BOC-L-valyl--glycyl-L-arginine-β-naphthylamide. The plasma is diluted in a reaction cuvet containing 0.050 M Tris HC1 buffer (pH 8.0) and 150 μM substrate. Activation of plasminogen proactivator(s) is initiated at 37°C by the addition of 10 μg dextran sulphate (MW 500,000)/ml. The concentration of β-naphthyl- amide released is recorded fluorometrically as a function of time. The slope of this curve at any time t is proportional to the concentration of activator. Thus, in a single assay, the entire time-dependent profile of activation and subsequent inhibition is monitored; this provides 1. a value for an optimum plasminogen activator content in the plasma, and 2. the time it takes to reach the optimum. The plot of optimum activator content against μl of plasma added is linear for dilutions more than 100-fold, suggesting that under these conditions the optimum content approaches the content of proactivator(s) originally present.The activator content measured predominantly consists of contributions of a factor XII-dependent process since 1. without dextran sulphate or with plasmas deficient in factor XII or prekallikrein no activity could be generated, and 2. plots of optimum activator content against dextran sulphate concentration show sigmoidal-shaped saturation curves as found previously for the kallikrein generation in human plasma. Contributions of factor XIIa and kallikrein only partly account for the content measured and studies with plasmas deficient in factor XI point to a minor role for this factor, if any. Further identification of the activator (s) involved is in progress.


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